A Freehand Mandala and a Few Background Process Pics! :)

I recently finished this new mandala and sent off to a new home last weekend! Yayy! I thought I'd share some process pics, especially the creation of the background...I always love this process! I love the WHOLE process actually...creating mandalas is obviously one of my most favourite things to do... ;)

The above pic is showing a technique I learned in kindergarten using salt in wet paint to create texture...not a new technique to anyone by any means but something I use with almost every piece...remembering when I was first shown this in kindergarten made me realize how early on in life we are  drawn to what we are meant to do and how we are impacted by these things for the rest of our lives...so important to encourage our wee ones creative tendencies, whatever they may be... ;)
Below is the canvas as a whole at this stage (above pic - a detail of the bottom left corner)

 Below, adding more darkness and colour to the outer corners...

Then letting the remaining ink run across the canvas...why not! :)

Applying a little masking fluid for fun....

Below, I added a little pearlenscent gold ink over the dark umber in the corners and along the top

And then a bit of the process of the mandala...just freehanding it for a more natural/organic feel

 (Colour variations are due to daylight light vs unnatural lighting..., the above photo was in 

natural light, below, my studio lights but you still get the just of the design hopefully) Below is a pic of the finished piece... I really loved creating this mandala even though it was a size that I am not accustomed to working with but it brought me out of my comfort zone! Always a good thing... :)

 

Just a couple of detail pics of the center of the mandala :)

Hope you enjoyed! Happy Creating as always and have a great night! ;)